Billing-machine.



No. 707,630. Patented A ug. `26, |902. B. W. PERKINS.

. BILLING MACHINE.

(Application filed Mar. 10, 1902.)

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ilnirrnn STATES PATnNT FFICE.

BENJAMIN XV. PERKINS, OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA.

BILLING-MACHINE.

SPEGIFICATIUN forming part of Letters Patent N o. 707,630, dated August 26, 1902. Application filed March 10, 1902. Serial No. 97,453. (No model.)

To (all whom it may concer-71,:

Be it known that I, BENJAMIN W. PERKINS, a citizen of the United States,residing at South Bend, in the county of St. Joseph and State ot' Indiana,have invented certain newand useful Improvements in Billing-Machines; and I do declare the following to bea full,clear,and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanyingdrawings, and to the iigures of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

My invention relates to improvements in printing-machines, and has particular relation to devices of that character adapted to be used for billing purposes, addressing, tbc.

The object of my invention is to provide a device of this character by means of which the movement of an operating-lever to a predetermined point will move a type-carrier to a position in which the type 'corresponding to the desired combination indicated by the position of the operating-lever will be exposed to the action of a platen manually operated and adapted to give a double impression With a single complete movement of the operating means.

With this and other objects in view my invention consists in the improved construction and combination of parts,as hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings, Figure l is a rear elevation of my improved device. Fig. 2 is a plan View of the same. Fig. 3 is a vertical crosssectional view taken on the line 3 3 of Fig. l. Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail perspective view of the indicating-plate and the operating-le- Ver which cooperates therewith.

The present invention is intended more particularly for use in connection with the preparation of bills, such as gas-bills. In bills of this character there is generally set forth the state of the meter at stated periods, the difference being the total consumption covered by the period for which the bill is issued. As the price per hundred cubic feet is the same in each case and as there is genorally a discount if paid within a certain period, there is a requirement of a printing of three different amounts-viz., the gross, the discount, and the net amount. In addition to this these bills are generally provided with a detachable stub on which is placed a duplicate of these amounts, the latter being retained by the company. As these amounts are the same Where the same quantity of consumption takes place, said amounts may bc arranged in combination 'to be printed only when the proper gas consumption is indicated, and as these amounts are duplicated the movement of the platen or impressionarm should be with the least practicable eX- pending of power and with the greatest saving of time possible. This is accomplished by the provision of an operating-lever operatively connected with a rotating carrier and adapted to traverse an indicating-plate, thereby accurately positioning the proper type form or matrix, and, further, by connecting the platen or impression-arm with a fooi-power device in such manner that a movement of the foot in one direction will impart a full movement to said platen and permitting the return movement of foot to give a second complete movement.

5 designates a table supported by legs 6 of suitable structure, one of the latter having bearings to receiveone end of a shaft 7, the opposite end being mounted in a bearing carried by a bracket S, depending from the table 5. Mounted on said shaft 7 is a type-carrier 9 in the form of a Wheel, the periphery of which is provided with laterally-extending recesses 10, adapted to receive the type l1. As shown in the drawings, said recesses l0 are arranged with a iiatbottom and of a suficient width to permit of the insertion of several, preferably three,` lines of type. By arranging the flat bottom it will be readily understood that the printing-surfaces of the type contained in each recess will be on the same plane, and consequently'will permit of an even impression being made. Said Wheel 0r type-carrier is of a size suiiicient to provide the desired number of type combinations, and the shaft 7 is arranged relatively to the table 5 in such mannerthat the type-surfaces of the recess in vertical alinement with the shaft 7 will project through an opening 12, formed in the table 5, a sufficient distance to permit of a proper impression being made IOS) when the platen or impression-arm is operated, as hereinafter described. Said shaft 7 is also provided with a bevel gear or pinion 13, adapted to cooperate with abevel-gear 14E, mounted on a vertical shaft 15, the lower end ofvwhich is mounted in the bracket 8. The gears 13 and 14 are of a size to permit of a half-revolution of the gear 14 imparting a complete or full revolution to thefgear 13.

The upper end of the shaft 15, which extends through the table 5, is provided with an operating-lever 16, preferably formed in two parts hingedly connected, the outer part being normally supported ata proper point by a spring 17, as shown. Said outer portion of the leverl 16 is provided with a downwardlyextending pin 18, preferably having its sides beveled.

Mounted on the upper surface of the table 5 is an indicator-plate 19, semicircular in form and having its center coincident with the axis of the shaft 15. Said plate 19 is provided with indicating-marks 20, arranged numerically along its outer edge. Said plate also is provided concentrically with said marks 2O with an upwardly-extending annular flange 21, having its upper surface provided with notches or grooves 22. The notches 22 are positioned so as to be in the path of movement of the pin 18, the marks 2O projecting beyondsaid flange to permit said marks to be readily seen during the traversing movement of the lever 16.

It will be readily understood that an operator by imparting a movement to the lever 16 in the arc of a circle having the shaft 15 as its center will traverse the series of notches 22, and that upon depressing the outer portion of said lever to a point where the pin 18 will enter one of the notches 22 he will have imparted a rotary movement to the shaft 7, thereby rotating the type-carrier 9 and positioned the latter at a point where the exposed type-surface will correspond with the amounts which indicate the cost of the number of cubic feet indicated by thenotch within which the pin 18 is rested, the relative arrangement of the type being successive to provide such correspondence between the consumption and the cost of the gas. Upon a release of the lever 16 the spring 17 will raise the outer portion of said lever out of engagement with the notches, permitting of a free movement of said lever on its pivot.

23 designates a bracket secured to the table 5 and having a laterally-projecting shaft 24, on which is mounted the impression-arm 25, the outer end of which is provided with a suitable platen 26, the latter being arranged so that when depressed it will contact with the exposed type-surface of the amount to be printed. Said arm 25 is provided with a projecting arm 27, extending rearwardly and having a bearing fora stub-shaft 28. The bracket 23 extends downwardly beneath the table 5 and is provided witha pivot 29 for a lever 30, preferably angular, the lower end of which is provided with a suitable foot-rest, the upper end being provided with a stubshaft 30, similar to that on the arm 27. Said stub-shafts are connected by a suitable turn- 'buckle 31, the arrangement being such that the distance between said stub-shafts can be adjustably regulated and locked in such adjusted position. Said stub-shafts and the pivot-point for the impression-arm 25 and the lever 30 are so arranged relatively to each other that in the normal position of said lever 30 the impression-arm, with its platen, will be in a raised position, and a movement of the lever 30 rearward will tend to bring the shafts 24- and 30 into their closest po-4 sitions relative to each other, and a continuance of such movement in the same direction causing the impression-arm to be returned to its normal position by again moving the said shafts away from each other. This is due to the fact that these parts form what might be termed a toggle-lever, the movement of the lever 30 in one direction serving to first carry the toggle to a straightened position and then beyond such position to raise the platen. It will be obvious that a return movement of the lever will again impart such complete movement to the impression-arm. Between such forward and return movement of the lever 30 the bill is changed from one point to another, so that both impressions are made with one complete movement of the lever 30. The upper surface of the table is provided with a yielding platform 32, which normally rests above the surface of the type and on which the bill is positioned. As the platform may be provided with suitable guides, it will be obvious that the position of the bill can be accurately adjusted for the impression, it being understood that the printing takes place on the under side of the bill.

v33 designates a suitable inking-roller supported from the table and normally resting on the face of the type.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new is- 1. In a printing-machine, a type-carrier having a type-surface projecting through a table, said table, an indicating-plate mounted on said table, an operating-lever traversing said plate and adapted for engagement therewith at predetermined points, said lever and said carrier being operatively connected to have corresponding movement, a movable platen, a foot-lever, and a toggle connection between said platen and said lever whereby two complete oscillatory movements of the platen will be provided during one complete movement of the footlever, whereby the printing-surface and its supporting and operating parts will be held stationary during the printing movement.

2. In a printing-machine, a table, an indicating-plate carried thereby and having semicircular indicating-marks and a concentric- IIO ally-arranged notched ange, an operatinglever traversing said plate andhaving a pin adapted to be removably engaged With one of the notches of said plate, a rotating typecarrier having a type surface projecting through an opening in said table, means for connecting said operating-lever and said typecarrier to provide a cooperating movement therebetween, an impression-arm having a platen, a foot-lever, and a toggle connection between said foot-lever and impression-arm, whereby the prin ting-surface and its supporting and operating parts will be held stationary during the printing movement.

3. In a printing-machine, a table, an indieating-plate carried thereby and having semicircular indicating-marks and a concentrically-arranged notched flange, an operatinglever traversing said plate and having a pin adapted to be removably engaged with one of the notches of said plate, a rotating type-carrier having a type-surface projecting through BENJAMIN W. PERKINS.

Witnesses:

WILL G. CROBILL, JAS. DUSHANE. 

